Who is a Muslim?

The term “Muslim” as it appears in the dictionary, according to the Arabic language, is someone who submits to God’s will.

According to the theological definition, a Muslim is one who accepts the Unity of one God and accepts that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) is his final messenger and accepts the Laws brought by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w).

A Muslim is a person that submits or surrenders to God, performs good deeds, follows the religion of Islam and holds the Qur’an as his/her central book of guidance.

A Muslim models his/her life on the actions of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as Muslims agree he was the best example of a human being, excelling in both worldly and spiritual matters.

A Muslim is a person that submits or surrenders to God, performs good deeds, follows the religion of Islam and holds the Qur’an as his/her central book of guidance.

A Muslim models his/her life on the actions of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as Muslims believe he was the best example of a human being, excelling in both worldly and spiritual matters.

Muslims regularly go to mosque, especially on Thursdays and Fridays as these are understood to be blessed days of the week in the Muslim calendar.

They pray 5 times daily (once in the morning, twice in the afternoon and twice at night) and fast for approximately 30 days during the month of Ramadhan, every year, amongst other acts of worship.

Islam requires believers to honour their dealings, help their neighbours, feed the hungry and act as good servants for humanity.

They regard their fellow Muslims as brothers in faith and non-Muslims as equals in humanity.

A Muslim is a person that submits or surrenders to God, performs good deeds, follows the religion of Islam and holds the Qur’an as his/her central book of guidance.

A Muslim models his/her life on the actions of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as Muslims believe that he was the best example of a human being, excelling in both worldly and spiritual matters.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was the last messenger God appointed for humanity, he possessed the highest morals to the extent that he was known as al-Amin.

Muslim Life

A Muslim's view of life is always concerned with pleasing God and refraining from anything that God dislikes. As such, in order to worship God, Muslims pray (Salat) 5 times daily (once in the morning, twice in the afternoon and twice at night), fast (Saum) for approximately 30 days during the month of Ramadhan every year and perform pilgrimage (Hajj). They are also obliged to honour their dealings, help their neighbours, feed the hungry and act as good servants for humanity. They regard their fellow Muslims as brothers in faith and non-Muslims as equals in humanity.

Muslim Aims

One of the central goals of a Muslim is to always improve himself/herself spiritually and gain knowledge. That is why Muslims are meant to be in a constant state of submission to God, whether performing acts of worship, or interacting with other members of family, community or society at large. Hence Islam promotes morality and encourages selflessness, which serves to ensure that he/she will always be mindful of God.

Muslims are also required to give charitably every year and pay a portion of their earnings as a charity tax to those less fortunate than themselves (Khums and Zakat).

Muslim Calendar

Muslims are encouraged to go to mosque regularly, especially on Thursdays and Fridays as these are understood to be blessed days of the week in the Muslim calendar. They celebrate the day of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting period and Eid al-Adha, which symbolises Prophet Abraham’s and Prophet Ismail’s obedience to God when God asked Abraham to sacrifice Ismail. When Abraham and Ismail went ahead with the sacrifice, God commended their obedience and then replaced Ismail with a sheep and told Abraham to sacrifice the sheep instead.

Shi’a muslims also celebrate Eid al-Ghadir, which took place on the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah 10AH, it marks Prophet Muhammad's (s.a.w) appointment of Imam Ali (a.s) as his successor. They also celebrate Eid al-Mubahila, which represents the holy status of Prophet Muhammad's (s.a.w) immediate family, known as the Ahlulbayt (People of the Household).

Demographics

The majority of Muslims belong to one of two denominations, Shi’a and Sunni.

About 13% of the world's total Muslim population live in Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country, 25% of Muslims live in South Asia, 20% in the Middle East, 2% in Central Asia, 4% in the remaining South East Asian countries, and 15% in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sizeable communities are also found in China and Russia, and parts of the Caribbean.

Converts and immigrant communities are found in almost every part of the world.

With about 1.57 billion Muslims comprising about 25% of the world's population, Islam is the second-largest religion and arguably the fastest-growing religion in the world.

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